FC: Request from UK Guardian newspaper reporter on privacy

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

**********

> From: "Patrick Barkham" <patrick.barkham () guardian co uk>
> To: <declan () well com>
> Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 21:02:53 -0000
> X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2314.1300
>
> Declan,
>
> Did you see the following report? I'm writing a piece for the
> Guardian in London on the growing problem of employees making
> personal use of the internet at work - and, more importantly,
> how that use is being spied upon and regulated. I wondered if
> you or any of the many experts on your mailing list had any
> thoughts?
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Patrick Barkham
> patrick.barkham () guardian co uk
>
> E-Mails Prompt NY Times Firings
> The Associated Press
> Tuesday, Nov. 30, 1999; 7:30 p.m. EST
>
> NEW YORK -- More than 20 employees of The New York Times Co.
> were fired Tuesday for sending e-mail the company deemed
> "inappropriate and offensive."
>
> "In the past, one or two people here or there have been fired
> for e-mail violations, but this is the first time we've had a
> big number like this," said Nancy Nielsen, a spokeswoman for
> company.
>
> Russell T. Lewis, president and CEO, and Cynthia H. Augustine,
> senior vice president for human resources sent a memo to all
> employees of the company telling them of the firings: "While the
> company does not routinely monitor the e-mail communications of
> employees, we do investigate when a violation of the company's
> e-mail policy is reported," the memo said. "Such a case occurred
> recently ... and as a result, more than 20 individuals have been
> terminated for violation of our e-mail policy. Other employees
> received disciplinary warning letters."
>
> The incident occurred in Norfolk, Virginia, at the company's
> Shared Services Center, which Ms. Nielsen described as a hub for
> processing payroll, invoices and benefits for the entire
> company.
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/19991130/aponline1
> 93057_000.htm





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